Ukraine not to extend Russian gas transit contract after it expires in 2024

MOSCOW. Oct 30 (Interfax) - Ukraine does not plan to extend the Russian gas transit contract after it expires at the end of 2024, Naftogaz of Ukraine CEO Alexei Chernyshov said.

"As for this contract, we should be a reliable partner to our European partners, for countries which need this. However, the agreement will expire by the end of 2024 and we have neither an intention nor an initiative to extend it," Ukrainian media quoted Chernyshov as telling the Western press in an interview.

Gazprom does not pay under the contract for gas transported to the Sokhranovka gas measuring station, which is why Naftogaz does not receive enough funding to provide (transit) but fulfills its obligations nonetheless and sues Gazprom to compel it to meet the obligations, Chernyshov said. Naftogaz reserves capacities and exit points from Ukraine in order to be ready to fulfill contractual obligations and support European partners, he added.

Ukraine continues Russian gas transit for the sole purpose of supporting its colleagues who need these volumes, Chernyshov said. He noted that the European Union had declared the intention to fully stop using Russian gas before 2027.